Leadership

BIG SPEAK OUT forum postponed until later date.

Unfortunately, due to insufficient attendees confirming it has been necessary to postpone the Big Speak Out. A new date will be announced when we have had some further consultation. It is expected to go ahead some time in the first half of 2009.

Download BIG SPEAK OUT flyer (date not correct)

YOUNG LEADERS ENHANCEMENT
IN PROVINCIAL VICTORIA

Executive Summary

Champions of the Bush Inc is a non-for-profit association of companies formed to instil pride in regional Australia, help improve the infrastructure and human capital of regional Australia, and to promote economic growth in country Australia. Its current membership includes businesses that collectively employ in excess of 10,000 people in regional Australia, and includes: Bendigo Bank, Brown Brothers Wines, Ritchies Food Stores, PFD Foodservices, Rivergum Marketing, Patties Food, Gippsland Secured Investments, National Australia Bank and Telstra Country wide. The Victoria Adult Community Education Coalition (VACEC) of Adult Community Education centres has been formed by the 100+ ACE organisations across that State, to pursue greater collaboration and continuity. These centres are not-for-profit community based adult education providers, with varying levels of training provider accreditation.

The Provincial Leaders Development Program (PLDP) is a component of the Government's commitment to developing leadership skills and capacities for business and community. Funded from the Provincial Victoria Growth Fund, the investment of $2 million highlights the Government's recognition that effective leadership skills are essential for economic growth in Provincial Victoria. The PLDP provides funding to support local initiatives that recognise and assist business and community leaders who will drive the strategies needed for economic sustainability and community development. The particular focus of the program is upon encouraging younger leaders.

This "Champions of the Bush" project will be delivered in 2006-8 annually via a series of 3 public Orations targeting 200->300 citizens in smaller provincial towns, and followed up by workshops and mentoring sessions convened by the Adult Community Educations centres for approximately 10 younger people in these towns during October. This will involved the Local Government Areas of Colac-Otway, Wangaratta, Wellington and East Gippsland initially in 2006.

All these events and sessions will be video produced for compilation into a series of demonstration CD's for use by schools and other community groups.

These ultimate outcomes could directly affect approximately 1,000 provincial town citizens per year in various locations across Victoria.

• 13th September 2006: Esso BHP Billiton Centre, Sale 8-9 pm.

• 27th September 2006: Wangaratta Civic Centre, Wangaratta 8-9 pm

• 18th October 2006: Colac Otway Performing Arts Centre, Colac 8-9 pm

UPDATE:

The 3 Orations were presented as follows:

Wellington Entertainment Centre in Sale on Wednesday 13th September, by Professor Murray Gillin AM from the Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Rachael Sporn former Captain of the Australian Womens Basketball Team and 3 time Olympic Games medal winner. Prof Gillin's oration suggested that the many opportunities being created by our changing economy should be taken up locally in provincial Victoria. He said that being an entrepreneur did not mean a high flying lifestyle financed by huge borrowings, but being creative via an open mind and assessing opportunities for new business within a rapidly changing world. He said that the current younger generation is approaching life differently, and looking at ways of utilising the growing information technology base for innovative businesses. He said that research is showing that those who look for business growth via innovation are more secure than those who maintain the status quo. His work internationally in Cambridge University England and in the Australian Embassy Washington USA has shown him that intuition is more than a mere 'feeling', but a common trait amongst successful entrepreneurs who trust their own judgement. He said that whilst Business Planning is a crucial tool, the fast pace of change meant that many Plans are out-of-date by the time they are acted upon. He called upon the community to encourage and skill its budding entrepreneurs, and upon financial institutions to partner entrepreneurship in loan capital. As a Director of the Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Prof Gillin mentors many PhD students who originate from country areas. He said that these skills were able to be taught, in much the same way as musicians are taught rudimentary music.

Rachael Sporn related her rise from community basketball while growing up in Murrayville (NW Victoria), to representing Australia in the Opals over 300 games, winning three Olympic medals, and playing in the American WNBA. She said that seven leadership themes that had been taught during her time with the Opals could be translated into community and business leadership. She urged the younger people in the evening's audience to prepare themselves for leadership and to understand the common qualities of teamwork and perseverance. She regards her upbringing in country Victoria as a major plus in her success in life.

Both Speakers mingled with the attendees after the orations, and were asked many questions regarding personal leadership experiences, and strategies for growth via leadership. Rachael Sporn posed for photographs with her Olympic medals. (Approx 60 people attended)

Wangaratta Town Hall on Wednesday 27th September 2006, By Li Cunxix (Author of 'Mao's Last Dancer') and Prof Gillin. The State Member of Parliament for Central Highlands Robert Mitchell announced at the beginning of the evening the Victorian government's funding support for this Champions of the Bush "Young Leaders Enhancement Project" for Provincial Victoria, under the PLDP. Prof Gillin spoke energetically to the audience about the need to appreciate entrepreneurs and innovators in the community, as people who look beyond the horizon and grasp emerging opportunities. He said that such thinking should be cultivated amongst younger people, and their skills enhancement encouraged. He spoke of international research into communities that shows that progressive economies are usually lead by innovation, and cited Brown Brothers Wines as a well regarded global company in that area. He said that he also looked to the business banking sector to support and finance entrepreneurial business projects locally, so that the economic benefits of commercialisation could be derived in NE Victoria. Prof Gillin is a strong advocate of skills being acquired through mentoring and the transfer of experiences.

Li Cunxin held the audience spellbound while recounting his life's journey from abject poverty in China, to become one of the world's leading ballet dancers. He spoke of his opportunity in life being presented when he was selected from his primary school classroom to attend Madam Mao's Ballet Academy in Beijing, where he spent his adolescent years body building to have the strength to become a ballet dancer. After defecting to the USA when visiting the Houston Ballet Company, Li went on to dance alongside some of the most famed ballet dancers on all the recognised principal stages around the world. He related his belief that he had been given a unique opportunity in life that, with absolute dedication and focus of purpose, had allowed him to fulfil his dreams. He urged young people to look beyond their expected roles and seek challenges where they could become special people in society. (Approx 300 people attended)

Colac Otway Performing Arts & Cultural Centre on Wednesday 18th October 2006, by Jesse Martin (solo sailer), and Dr Bridie Cullinane (2005 Victorian Young Business Woman of the Year). Jesse described his determination to solo-sail circumnavigate the world when he was 17 yo, and the planning and dedication required to achieve such a feat outside his "comfort zone". He related his ordeals during 328 days at sea unassisted, and what the lessons learned had meant to his life thereafter. He urged younger people to aim for achievable goals and to acquire the skills necessary to achieve, and for the older persons to encourage a nurture achievements in their local community. Excerpts form his documentary "Lionheart, A story of Human Spirit" were screened, that held the audience spellbound.

Bridie Cullinane spoke engagingly with the younger half of the audience about achievement and having the health of body and mind to be motivated to make a difference in society. She spoke of her experiences in an orphanage and children's prison in India, where she helped handicapped people to walk and become more mobile. She said that her family's upbringing in a small country town (Byron Bay NSW) had given her the values to want to seek to help people around her, and to be successful in her delivery (via her business Peak Potential health Centres). She explained that being a Leader carried some pressures, and health was a crucial element of being effective as a leader. (Approx 100 people attended.)

All 3 Orations had pre and post gatherings for discussions with the Speakers.

Skills Workshops

The format of the workshops and scheduling were developed in conjunction with the ACE's concerned. In general terms the workshops were 4 full day sessions, with professional Facilitators engaged, for approximately 10 participants, with Case Study presenters and Mentors (coming from Community Leadership Program alumni). The ages ranged from 15 to 30 years, and several school students were involved in a special Leadership day in Colac conducted by Mike O'Mera (of MoTow). Wangaratta and Colac Workshops were conducted in October, and the Bairnsdale Workshops are scheduled for February 2007.

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